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"Javelin/U.S.A. Montage/Karmann" on the cover of a 10-page brochure (multi-language) showing the American car

Wilhelm Karmann GmbH in Osnabrück, Germany is the largest independent motor vehicle company in Germany. Over the course of more than a century, they have undertaken various roles, from design to production and assembly of components, for various automobile manufacturers including Chrysler, Porsche, Volkswagen and DuraCar.

Contents

Notable programs

Some of the most well-known cars produced by Karmann in the 20th century are the VW Beetle Cabriolet (1949-1980), and, most closely associated with the Karmann name, the Karmann Ghia. Between 1955 and 1974, 443,482 Karmann Ghias were manufactured, placing their own sports car-style body on the chassis of the Volkswagen Beetle. Later in the 20th century, they assembled the Scirocco, Corrado, and Cabriolet for Volkswagen. Karmann also built the Ford Sierra for the American market, sold under the Merkur brand by Lincoln/Mercury dealers. Many Karmann produced vehicles carry a small wagon wheel emblem, the coat of arms of Osnabrück, where the company was founded.

Karmann assembled complete knock down (CKD) kits in an agreement with American Motors (AMC).1 In 1968, AMC introduced the Javelin, a new competitor in the U.S. "pony car" segment. AMC did not have a manufacturing subsidiary in Europe, therefore, Karmann assembled the American designed car for distribution in Europe.2 Karmann built the cars in Rheine with 280 horsepower (209 kW) 343 cu in (5.6 L) V8 engines and they were named "Javelin 79-K".3

Karmann is best known today for its work on cabriolets. It provides roof-components for many current cabriolet automobiles, such as the Mercedes-Benz CLK, the Renault Mégane CC and the Volkswagen New Beetle Cabrio. Both the headquarters in Osnabrück and the additional facility in Rheine also construct complete vehicles, such as the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet, the Audi A4 Cabrio, the Mercedes-Benz CLK, and the Chrysler Crossfire. A small number of vehicles are also produced in Brazil São Bernardo do Campo. The Osnabrück facility also produces the chassis and body panels of the Spyker C8 Spyder.

Other facilities at Sunderland UK, Puebla Mexico, and Plymouth Township U.S. are manufacturing roof systems for the Nissan Micra C+C, Volkswagen New Beetle Cabrio, and Pontiac G6, respectively.

A large part of the development of the Chrysler Crossfire was done independently by Karmann, and the vehicle is produced at their Osnabrück facility. Karmann U.S. also supplies the top for the third-generation Chrysler Sebring (convertible) and Ford Mustang Convertible.

Karmann total car production

Since its beginning in 1901, Karmann has built more than three million complete vehicles of the models as follows. Exceptions as indicated

AMC Javelin Coupé 1968 300 Units
Audi 80 Convertible 1997 - 2000 12.112 Units
Audi A4 Convertible 2002 - today 81.959 Units (Base: End 2004)
BMW 2000 C/CS 1965 - 1970 13.696 only Body in White
BMW 3,0 CS 1971 - 1975 21.147 Units
BMW 635 CSI 1976 - 1989 86.314 Units
Chrysler Crossfire Coupé 2003 - today 37.896 Units
Chrysler Crossfire Convertible 2003 - today 16.269 Units
Ford Escort RS Cosworth 1992 - 1996 8.082 Units
Ford Escort FEC Convertible 1983 - 1990 104.237 Units
Ford Escort Convertible 1990 - 1997 80.620 Units
Ford Merkur XR4Ti, U.S. version of the Ford Sierra XR4i
Karmann Ghia Convertible 1957 - 1974 80.881 Units
Karmann Ghia Coupé 1955 - 1974 362.601 Units
Karmann Ghia Type34 1961 - 1969 42.505 Unit
Land Rover Defender 2002 - 2005 2.777 Units (in Brazil)
Mercedes CLK A208 Convertible 1998 - 2003 115.264 Units
Mercedes CLK C208 Coupé 2000 - 2002 28.706 Units
Mercedes CLK A209 Convertible 2003 - today
Porsche 912
Porsche 914 1969 - 1976 118.949 Units
Porsche 968 1991 - 1994 11.803 only Body in White
Renault 19 Convertible 1990 - 1996 29.222 Body in White and soft tops
Renault Mégane I Convertible 1996 - 2003 74.096 Body in White and soft tops
Renault Mégane CC since 2004 only retractable hardtops
Triumph TR6 1969 - 1976
VW Corrado 1988 - 1995 97.521 Units
VW Golf I Convertible 1979 - 1993 388.522 Units
VW Golf III Convertible 1993 - 1997 129.475 Units
VW Golf IV Convertible (Base Golf III) 1997 - 2001 82.588 Units
VW Golf III Variant 1997 - 1999 80.928 Units
VW Beetle Convertible 1949 - 1980 331.847 Units
VW Scirocco I 1974 - 1981 504.153 Units
VW Scirocco II 1981 - 1992 291.497 Units

Current car production at Karmann Germany

Current production of car modules

Karmann currently is producing car modules for the following vehicles:


Former production of car modules

See also

References

  1. ^ Mitchell, Larry G. (2000). AMC Muscle Cars. MotorBooks/MBI, 43-44. ISBN 9780760307618. 
  2. ^ Mederle, Wolfgang A. "Der Karmann Javelin" 2005-12-27, retrieved on 2008-08-31.
  3. ^ "1961 to 1970" Karmann Company History, undated document, retrieved on 2008-08-31.

External links

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